creative practice mentoring

“Who can you be, when you’re with me?” – Nora Bateson

CREATIVE MENTORING TENDING TO CULTURES OF CARE

We are entangled in systems that are not built to care for us, but surviving within the creative sector does not mean recreating inhumane conditions for ourselves.

If you are feeling called to challenge inherited ideas of what a creative practice should look like, to find your own way, and would like some support in this we could work together and explore the terrain.

On this page you’ll find practical information about working with me, but to begin I’d love you to hear from one of my clients about what it feels like to work with me and what impact it’s had on their practice.

what it’s like to work with me: client case study

Amy is one of my long-term, ongoing clients. We’ve been working together for a couple of years having sessions at intervals that felt appropriate and responsive to her needs – ranging from every week during big applications or events, to once a month to maintain connection with her practice in amongst the regular rhythm of her work. Here Amy shares what the experience of this kind of ongoing support has meant to her and her practice:

“Working with Melody over the past 2 years has fundamentally shifted how I approach creativity and its relationship to work; how I define these terms, and how I choose to shape my life around what is important to me.

I came to Melody in 2023 with a clear feeling that something needed to change, and that I was seeking support from others to help me get there. I had floated through academic teaching jobs, filling my time with part-time contracts that no longer felt fulfilling and squeezed out any remaining time and energy away from my textile practice.

The sessions I had with Melody initially gave me structure and space to talk about my dreams; where I wanted to be, and the challenges I faced creatively. Sometimes we spoke about motivation and direction, the reasons why I wanted to make creative work, and which elements were important to me. This really helped me be selective with how I used my time, and to trust my own creative instincts more wholly.

“At other points our conversations were more pragmatic, addressing funding applications and creative opportunities that previously felt alien to me. Having the space to look at the questions on application forms, help decipher the language and edit my responses gave me a greater understanding of the broader field of creative industries, and what I can bring to the conversation.

In lots of ways our sessions have acted like safe spaces to test ideas out, to experiment with approaches or mindsets different to my own, giving me a supportive nudge in the direction that more closely aligned with my values and ambitions.

Through our work together I decided to take a career break from teaching, using 12 months to re-focus on my textile practice. With Melody’s support and guidance, I have successfully applied for, and completed an Artist in Residence programme in New York, made an invaluable network of creative connections that continue to fuel my research, and made more actual textile work than I had in a long time. I have also applied for funding and creative opportunities, and now have a portfolio and website that represents who I am, and where I want to be.

“At the root of this, however, is less about the material results of our sessions, and more of grounding that our work has given me. I have a confidence and greater understanding of who I am creatively, and what I have to offer. I have built resilience and a practical outlook that means I actively seek and apply for opportunities that previously I would have avoided.

The space we have developed has ultimately allowed me the time to step back and reflect on how I want to work creatively, and the ways in which I can do this. Melody creates spaces that are reflective and curious, flexible to what I want to work with (be it a specific deadline, or broader question) yet curious as to how I can do this in a way that nourishes me creatively (and as a person). I truly value the insight that they have brought to my life, and the way I feel seen and respected in a professional context.”

You can see more of Amy’s work on her website:

amytidmarsh.com

on Instagram:

@tidmarsh.studio

what do you need to know about working with me?

my approach

In my work I am committed to prioritising the experience and the needs of the humans at the centre of creative practices.

I take a trauma-informed, holistic, person-centred approach to my mentoring practice. This is underpinned by a commitment to social and climate justice, informed by ongoing engagement with, and exploration of, intersectional feminism*, decolonial shadow work, radical imagination and post-capitalist futures.

This work is conducted with an awareness of how everything we do with our creative practices is situated within the wider context of our lives and the world. I’m committed to working with professional artists, designers & contemporary craft makers who want to build ethical and sustainable creative practices.

* “I feel embarrassed when I say feminism and people do not think revolution in service of every living thing” – Lola Olufemi

For more about what informs this work take a look at my About page and my Values page

what this work is/isn't

What I offer is something between coaching and mentoring.

Typically coaches will work with people on specific issues or goals and they’ll support you getting there. Mentors often offer advice based on their expertise. Personally I like to respond to the needs you currently have in your practice; I don’t assume there are issues or problems and I don’t like to offer advice.

Instead we work together to reflect on what is going on for you right now and what you feel you’d like to explore. If during this process you would like to set some goals or receive more specific advice then I can potentially help you with that or recommend other people who are better placed to help.

The 1:1 work I do focuses on the intangible side of a creative practice. I offer an undefined space for you to reflect, explore and understand your unique creative process. [Please be aware that I have no expertise in business or marketing – if you are looking for support primarily with these aspects of your practice I’m not the person for you.]

who i work with

I support people whose professional work is an essential expression of who they are, or who they want to be, in the world. People who feel drawn to working intentionally and with purpose. Often this might look like practices that are rooted in elements like social engagement, community work, teaching/research and projects.

I also feel a strong affinity for people whose practice might occupy a space between craft and art, regardless of material discipline.

I tend to work with people who are looking to make significant shifts within their practice – this could be within contexts of mid-career development, navigating chronic health or diagnoses, adapting to caring responsibilities, returning to practice after a significant break.

I love working with people who are curious to explore their creative practice in greater depth – in many ways we are archaeologists of creativity, uncovering and building up the narrative of the work and their role within that.

what the sessions are like

I work 1:1 via zoom in 1 hour sessions.

During the session I’ll ask you what you’d like to talk about, or what feels important right now, and we take it from there.

I mostly listen and ask questions which might prompt you to reflect on what you’ve said, or which might help highlight things you may have not noticed, new ways of considering things. In this conversation I’m invested in offering you a space to explore things in a way that you might not be able to with other people. It’s a non-judgemental, supportive space where you and your work are the most important things.

My passion for this work comes from wanting to see your creative practice thrive. Because of this I take a holistic view, situating your creative practice within your life, and focusing on sustainability – for you, for others and for the planet.

I am for slow, considered, intentional work. I help people develop creative practices with care at the foundation, that are in service to you and the life you want to lead, responsive to your needs, adaptable to your existing priorities and which acknowledge your responsibilities to other people and the planet.

availability

As each client and their needs are unique I can honestly say there isn’t a set formula or pattern that I follow. I also don’t make any assumptions about how long we will work together.

After the first session you’ll have a better feeling about how much support you would like, and how often. I have some clients who work with me weekly, once a month, once a season, or on an ad hoc basis depending on what’s going on. For clients with funding to work with me, or mentoring as part of a project, the sessions may happen within a defined time period. It is entirely up to you, and that’s something we can negotiate as we go along.

I currently work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 11am-4pm.

(no) cancellation policy

I don’t have any rules about cancellations. As someone who lives with their own mental health and physical health challenges (long covid & migraines) I appreciate that life is unpredictable and sometimes overwhelming. Please know I will always understand if you need to cancel last minute and I won’t charge you for any sessions we don’t have.

accessibility

It is my intention to create a welcoming and inclusive space for creative practitioners to explore their experience of creative work in more depth. I have undergone training to become trauma-informed in my practice and approach all client work through this lens.

I have many clients who are neurodiverse (autistic individuals, people with ADHD/ADD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia) as well as people living with chronic illness or other health issues. So if you have any particular access needs that you would like me to be aware of and mindful of as we work together, please do share them with me.

I am a queer person and my practice is LGBTQIA+ inclusive.

price

I have 2 rates depending on who is paying:

If you are paying for the sessions yourself my hourly rate is £25.
If you have received funding to work with me my hourly rate is £50

I want to keep my work accessible to as many people as possible, which is why my regular hourly rate is significantly lower than you might expect. Please be aware that this is only possible because my financial needs are met through other sources of income and I am able to make this choice freely.

Other coaches/mentors will price their work according to their needs/situation and my pricing should not be taken as a judgement of the value of anyone else’s offering. This is why when I work with clients who receive funding I insist on an hourly rate that is more in line with what other people in the sector are charging – it’s important to me that the sector values this work and pays people properly.

Billing

I invoice at the end of the month for any sessions during that period.

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All the text, long form writing, art work and photography were created by me (unless credited).

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